ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥

Contact: Jennifer Hollingshead

Office: (573) 882-0601

E-mail: hollingsheadj@umsystem.edu

Dr. Steve Lehmkuhle, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, has been appointed as the first Chancellor of the University of Minnesota-Rochester, the Minnesota institution announced Monday.

Dr. Steve Graham, who has served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, has been appointed Dr. Lehmkuhle's interim successor, said Dr. Gordon H. Lamb, Interim President of the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Steve Lehmkuhle, and we know he will do a great job for the University of Minnesota-Rochester. Steve has been a superb leader in academic affairs, advancing the mission at the heart of the academy. While we will miss Steve, we wish him well in his new position and thank him for his excellent service to the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥," Dr. Lamb said. "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Graham to serve as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. Steve previously served very ably as interim leader in this area, and he will once again provide us with excellent, experienced leadership in academic affairs."

Dr. Lehmkuhle (pronounced LEM-kool) has served 22 years at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, including serving for the last decade as Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 2004, he was given the additional title of Senior Vice President. Dr. Lehmkuhle is to begin his new duties in Minnesota on Sept. 7.

"It is important to explore new opportunities and take on new challenges, and certainly being the first Chancellor of a new campus is a special opportunity. For the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, so many good things have been accomplished over the past decade, including records in enrollments, research funding, development campaigns, patent royalties and improved graduation rates, to mention just a few. This progress makes all four of our campuses much better," Dr. Lehmkuhle said. "The quality of a university is measured by the quality of its people. The University has terrific administrative, faculty, student, and staff leadership and I have been privileged to work with them. It has been their leadership, talents and perseverance that push the University to new heights and to better serve the citizens of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥."

Dr. Lehmkuhle, 56, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wright State University, and received his doctoral degree in experimental psychology from Vanderbilt University. During 2005, he served as Interim Chancellor for the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Kansas City. He has held an academic appointment as a professor since 1994 at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-St. Louis, and previously served as an associate professor at UMSL from 1985 to 1994.

Dr. Graham, 54, has more than two decades of experience in higher education as a professor and an administrator. His current responsibilities include directing the President’s Academic Leadership Institute at the UM system. He is also responsible for leadership development, academic program review, new degree programs and oversight for UM’s New Faculty Teaching Scholars Program.

Prior to his appointment as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Graham served at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Columbia as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Continuing Education. Dr. Graham earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Coe College, a master's degree in college personnel and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from The University of Iowa.

The University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Office of Academic Affairs supports and advises the President and the Board of Curators to fulfill the academic mission of the institution. It also advises and provides leadership for the four campuses in developing, interpreting and implementing policies in academic and student affairs.